13 Answers

You may want to look into something called the X-Clamp Method, it required replacing the X-Clamps, which are brackets that hold the CPU and GPU heatsinks in place, These will warp over time, to the point where they put uneven preassure on the CPU or GPU causing it to form a cold joint (Where the chip is not fully connected to the motherboard causing it to malfunction) This causes the red ring of death. If you are comfortable doing this, it required replacing the clamps with screws, and opening the Xbox. You can buy kits that include the screws and washers, and maybe the thermal compound (Which also needs re-applyment)

Go to xbox.com and sign in with your windows live ID (If you don't have one, make it) and then select the register a console option. You will need to enter your consoles serial number (Under the faceplate above the USB ports) and register your console. You can then go to the "Request a Repair" option, and select the option to have your console repaired (It has a 3 year warrenty for the 3 red rings[3/4 Ring Red] and the e74 error as long as the silver "Microsoft" Sticker under the faceplate hasn't been tampered with or removed.) They will mail you a box, shipping label, packageing, and instructions, then you can package it, and take it to a UPS store where they will ship it for free as long as you attatch the included shipping label. Once microsoft has repaired it, they send it back (The repair process ususually takes 14-21 days) and give you a free 1 Month Xbox live gold card (If you have an Xbox Like Gold Membership) I have repaired my own 360, but since microsoft will do it for free, I would reccomend sending it to them, unless the microsoft warrenty sticker is damaged, or missing.

I run OSG and we don't fix 360's that old. The X-Clamp method does work, at least 65% of the time. And 50% of the time it will work for more than a few months.

It is not what we would call a reliable fix. But if it's your own time, and you spend little on the kit, you've got little to lose. Just remember this, you are doing a quick fix on a design related heat fault, on a unit with a DVDrom drive that is more than 4 years old. (the DVDrom lifespan averages 4-6 years). I'd use a unit like that in shop, but I'd NEVER let it go to a customer.

That's great. In my position multiply the warranty risk by about 100.I have customers I've retained for 7 plus years. Even a years worth of functionality is on the low end of acceptable. 'Fixed' stays fixed in my book. It's not worth the risk to reputation in my estimation. Since it doesn't address the underlying heat dissipation design flaw, I'll stick with being the careful repair guy.

For a DIY solution, one has nothing to lose though. Just don't spend a lot of money on such a solution..

I repair red ring of death xbox 360's using a hot air reflow station and reflow the solder back under the chips the same as they came out of the factory. The x clamp fix is not actually a fix as it just holds the broken solder joint together.

Well. from the accepted answer i'd highly recommend you dont replace the x-camps with screws. i learned that the hard way just dont do it.

it can cause flexing, break the heatsink(depending on how long the screws are) and it could cause uneven pressure if you screw them on wrong.

Gamestop does this fix and a whole bunch of other repair services. if the xclamp fix is done to your xbox the problem will come back in 4 weeks tops maybe even 2 months if your really lucky. so if you send it to someone ask for some pics of their work station and make sure thay dont do an xclamp fix on your xbox.

the best fix anyone could do is reball with LEAD solder balls(make sure its lead!!), add an extra fan to reduce heat on the heatsinks, and a 12v fan mod. doing this to and xbox will make sure you have the best long term fix.

there are many bad fixes out there like the towel fix, xclamp fix,

+ more. if your repair man does reflows be careful with them. they have to have the right equipment. a hot air reflow station is good. id recommend you get someone who reballs then reflows. reflows just melts the solderballs under the chip to make them join again. this fix will last at least 2-4 months depending if they did a proper reflow with flux, make sure they use flux if your repair guy does reflows. reballs is a whole other story. its just like you got it out of the box. if they use lead free solder the xbox will last about 3-5 maybe even 6 months. if they use lead it could last 4-12 months depending if thay did a great job.

Works like a champ!!! I used this site to mod my 360 and hard wired my fans to run them at full voltage in 2006. Then a little over a year ago I got a red-ring error, and used their repair kit and the following walk-through: http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/repair/rin...

I don't mean to pull people from this site because this site is very very helpful but there is a HUGE database of RROD Repair and diagnosis information that would take months even years to accumulate here.

The Xbox Experts Site even has a step by step guide to diagnose your xbox and then a list of possible fixes.. I have repaired over 50 xbox's with this and had great results.

Sorry, but I disagree with the comments on not using the X-clamp repair. That is the only way I repair Xboxes. I don't have a reflow station and don't plan on purchasing one. I imagine the cost to reflow the Xbox is more than my customers are willing to pay for their old console.

I always caution my customers that the RROD repair may only last a few weeks to a year or more. I give them a 60 day warranty against future RROD's. As old as the Xbox 360 is becoming, if a customer can get another year out of their console for $50, they are happy.

Using the right length screws and careful application has proven successful for me more times than it hasn't.

It's not just heat. Heat just accelerate all of the underlying issues.

The standoffs are not even which causes flex. The x-clamps are a horrible design which also causes flex. Finnaly the pressure applied to the chip die is very low and uneven. causing more flex.. When heated up all of these are accelerated. Microsoft did fix the standoffs in later versions (Starting spring 2010) but they have yet to replace the horrible x-clamps.

And your guide? That you charge $24 for... Well I've seen many many many guides to repair xbox's 90% of them will actually cause damage to your xbox and only temporarily fix it, 100% of them are FREE. See my post in this topic for details..

Resources

Stay in the loop

Speak out for your right to repair.

New York,

New Yorkers stand up for what they believe in. And we're asking you to
stand up for repair.

This year, New York could be the first state in the nation to pass the Fair Repair Act,
A8192 and
S618.
We have a chance to guarantee our right to repair electronic
equipment—like smartphones, computers, and even farm equipment. We have a
chance to protect local repair jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that
keep getting squeezed out by manufacturers.

It’s not going to be easy. Manufacturers are standing in the
way. When your stuff breaks, they want to be the only people allowed to fix it.
So far, they’ve managed to stop Fair Repair legislation before your
representatives get a chance to vote on it. We’ve got to be louder than their
lobbyists.

The Fair Repair Act, known as
A8192 and
S618,
requires manufacturers to provide owners
and independent repair businesses with fair access to service information,
security updates, and replacement parts. Tell your state representative to
support S618. Tell them you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for your right to repair.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair.

Massachusetts,

The people of Massachusetts have always stood up for their
right to repair. In 2012, voters passed a law that ensured
residents' right to repair their car wherever they wanted.
Now, it's time to do the same for electronics and other equipment.

With the Digital Right to Repair Act,
H.143
and S.96,
we have a chance to guarantee our right to repair electronics—like
smartphones, computers, and even farm equipment. The Digital Right to
Repair Act requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
information businesses with fair access to service information, security
updates, and replacement parts.

But we need your help. Big manufacturers don't want this
bill passed. And they're working hard to defeat it.

If you think you have a right to repair your products, find out who
represents you in the Massachusetts legislature. Tell them repair is good
for the environment, good for consumers, and good for business. Tell
them you support the Digital Right to Repair Act, S.96 and H.143.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair.

Nebraska,

This year, the people of Nebraska have a chance to guarantee
their right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment,
digital equipment, and even cell phones.

It’s yours. You own it. You shouldn’t have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Fair Repair Act, or LB 67,
is simple. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair businesses with fair access to service information and replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get back on with your
life.

But manufacturers don’t like that idea. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want
for parts and service.

It’s time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair jobs—the
corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out. Find
out who represents you in the Nebraska state legislature. Tell them you support
the bipartisan Fair Repair Act, LB 67. Tell them that you believe repair
should be fair, affordable, and accessible. Stand up for the right to repair
in Nebraska.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Minnesotans,

Minnesota has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. SF 15, or the Fair Repair bill, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Minnesota's legislatures. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan Fair Repair bill, SF 15. Tell them repair is good for the
environment, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Kansans,

Kansas has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. HB 2122, or the Fair Repair Act, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Kansas' legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Wyomingites,

Wyoming has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. HB 199, or the Fair Repair Act, guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Wyoming's legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Dear Washingtonians,

Washington has a chance to become the first state in the nation to pass
"Fair Repair" legislation. The Fair Repair Act guarantees our
right to repair digital equipment like computers, refrigerators, cell phones
and tractors. It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent
repair shops with access to repair information and replacement parts—so you
have the resources you need to fix things quickly and affordably.

But we need your help. Manufacturers don’t want a Fair Repair bill. When
your tractor breaks or your cell phone stops working, they want to be the
only people who can fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want.

Find out who represents you in Washington's legislature. Tell them that
you want the right to repair your purchases. Tell them you support a
bipartisan bill. Tell them repair is good for farmers, good for consumers, and good for businesses.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Tennessee,

This year, the people of Tennessee have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Fair Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed out.
Find out who represents you in the Tennessee General Assembly. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, SB 888 in the Senate
and HB 1382 in the
House. Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Tennessee.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Illinois,

This year, the people of Illinois have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. The Digital Fair Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Illinois General Assembly. Tell
them you support the Digital Fair Repair Act, HB3030.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Illinois.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Iowa,

This year, the people of Iowa have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. Iowa's Right to Repair Act, HF556, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Iowa legislature. Tell
them you support the Right to Repair Act, HF556.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Iowa.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

North Carolina,

This year, the people of North Carolina have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. North Carolina's Fair Repair Act, H. 663, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the North Carolina legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, H. 663.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in North Carolina.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

Missouri,

This year, the people of Missouri have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. Missouri's Fair Repair Act, HB1178, is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the Missouri legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, HB1178.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Missouri.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

New Hampshire,

This year, the people of New Hampshire have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. New Hampshire's upcoming Right to Repair Act is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the New Hampshire legislature. Tell
them you support the Right to Repair Act.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in New Hampshire.

It's time to speak out for your right to repair

New Jersey,

This year, the people of New Jersey have a chance to guarantee their
right to repair their equipment—like tractors, farm equipment, digital
equipment, and even cell phones.

It's yours. You own it. You shouldn't have to beg the manufacturer
for permission to fix it when it breaks. New Jersey's upcoming Fair Repair Act, A4934 is simple.
It requires manufacturers to provide owners and independent repair
businesses with fair access to service information and affordable replacement
parts. So you can fix the stuff you own quickly—and get on with your life.

But manufacturers like John Deere and Apple don't like that idea. When your tractor breaks or
your cell phone stops working, they want to be the only people who can
fix it. And they get to set whatever prices they want for parts and
service.

It's time to fight for your right to repair and defend local repair
jobs—the corner mom-and-pop repair shops that keep getting squeezed
out. Find out who represents you in the New Jersey legislature. Tell
them you support the Fair Repair Act, A4934.
Tell them that you believe repair should be fair, affordable, and
accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in New Jersey.